The Life of Animals | Delias Eucharis | Upperside is white. The forewings have the veins broadly black, this colour broadened triangularly at the termination of the veins, costal margin narrowly black; a broad black postdiscal transverse band from costa to dorsum sloped obliquely outwards from costa to vein 4, thence parallel to termen. Hind wing with the veins similar but for three-fourths of their length much more narrowly black; a postdiscal transverse black band as on the forewing but much narrower, curved and extended only between veins 2 and 6; beyond this the veins are more broadly black and this colour as on the forewing broadens out triangularly at the termination of the veins; the interspaces beyond the postdiscal black band pink, due to the vermilion coloration of the underside showing through.
On the underside, the forewings are similar but the black edging to the veins much broader, the upper two interspaces beyond the postdiscal transverse band tinged with yellow. Hind wing: ground colour bright yellow, the veins and transverse postdiscal band as on the upperside but much more broadly black, the latter extended from the costa to vein 2; the interspaces between the veins beyond the postdiscal fascia with a series of broadly lanceolate or cone-shaped vermilion-red spots, each spot very narrowly edged with white; the basal portion of interspace 6 white, in contrast to the bright yellow of the ground-colour. Antenna black; head, thorax and abdomen white, the apical joint of the palpi black; the head and thorax with a mixture of black hairs that give these parts a grey-blue appearance.
Upper and undersides similar to those in the male, but the black edging to the veins and the postdiscal transverse bands on both fore and hind wings are much broader.The butterfly may be found wherever there are trees, even in towns and cities, flying high among the trees and visiting flowers.It rests with its wings closed exhibiting the brilliantly coloured underside.The Jezebel often flies high up in the canopy and usually comes lower down only to feed on nectar in flowers.
Like other unpalatable butterflies the Common Jezebel is mimicked by Prioneris sita, the Painted Sawtooth. In the Painted Sawtooth these spots are very squarish whereas in the Common Jezebel they are more arrow head shaped. Caterpillars are yellow brown with a black head and have white tubercules from which long white hair arise. Two subdorsal rows of long white bristles springing from minute white tubercles; head, sides and back sparsely clothed with short white bristles: colour brown, head and feet black. Leaf after leaf is collectively devoured by this group till they pass through the first few instars of the larval stage. When disturbed, it drops off the leaf by a silken thread.Colour bright yellow; tubercles and a row of spots defining the wing-cases black.
